How Mitchells & Butlers Transformed Learning with Totara LMS.

LMS Mixology: Crafting the Perfect Blend for Business Success: How Mitchells & Butlers Transformed Learning with Totara LMS

Earlier this year at Learning Technologies, Europe’s premier event for workplace learning and technology, Think Learning’s UX Lead and Senior Solution Consultant, Peter Holmes, delivered a standout seminar titled “LMS Mixology.” The session explored how Mitchells & Butlers (MAB), one of the UK’s leading hospitality companies, has customised and scaled Totara LMS to meet the needs of over 50,000 employees across multiple brands.

Introducing MABLE: A Product-Centric LMS

MAB’s branded LMS, MABLE, is more than just a learning platform, it’s treated as a product. Dedicated teams use agile methodologies to continuously evolve the system, delivering tailored solutions that align with business goals and user needs.

Key Customisations Include:

Role-Based Learning Journeys
Training programmes are dynamically linked to employees’ current and aspirational job roles, supporting career progression and internal mobility.

Custom Fiscal Reporting
A bespoke plugin aligns learning engagement data with MAB’s unique five-year accounting cycle, streamlining analysis and reporting.

Third-Party Integration
Seamless integration with Fuel50, a talent management system, enables unified career development and succession planning.

Policy Management
A custom-built tool ensures compliance with the Employment Act 2023, particularly around tipping policies, eliminating the need for external solutions.

Gamification
Learners can unlock avatars and earn real-world rewards, boosting engagement and reinforcing brand loyalty.

Social Learning
Totara Engage powers branded social workspaces that foster collaboration, peer learning, and community building.

Why It Works: Strategic Insights from MABLE

Agile, Product-Led Development
Treating the LMS as a product allows for iterative innovation without compromising upgrade paths. This approach enhances scalability and reduces long-term technical debt.

Personalised Learning by Role
Linking content to job roles ensures relevance and encourages career growth—critical in a large, diverse workforce.

Tailored Reporting for Business Cycles
Custom fiscal plugins demonstrate how LMS platforms can adapt to non-standard business processes, improving decision-making and operational efficiency.

Unified Talent Ecosystem
SSO and data integration with Fuel50 create a seamless user experience, supporting holistic talent strategies.

Compliance Made Simple
In-house policy tools reduce reliance on third-party systems, cut costs, and ensure regulatory alignment.

Community-Driven Learning
Social features promote knowledge sharing and strengthen workplace culture, making learning more engaging and collaborative.

Gamification That Delivers
Custom avatars and tangible rewards turn learning into a motivating experience, driving participation and performance.

Conclusion: LMS as a Strategic Asset

The LMS Mixology seminar showcased how Totara LMS, when strategically customised, can evolve into a powerful business tool. MAB’s approach highlights the potential of enterprise learning platforms to go beyond training; supporting compliance, career development, and organisational culture.

Whether you’re in hospitality or another sector, the message is clear: your LMS can do more. With the right blend of innovation, integration, and user focus, it can become a cornerstone of business success.

Ready to see LMS Mixology in action?

Listen to the full seminar recording to discover how Mitchells & Butlers and Think Learning crafted a high-impact, scalable LMS solution.

Book a personalised demo with our expert team to explore how we can tailor Totara LMS to your organisation’s unique needs.